as seen on tv
Senator
Let's face it. The system of political party debates, party primaries, and presidential nominee debates has given us 3 duds in a row. The nation has made virtually no progress tackling important issues over the course of the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.
This could be because we're not asking the right questions of our candidates. In fact, we're not asking the questions at all. The media is controlling them, based on “guidance” from party apparatchiks. This is why nothing important or revealing is said before the oath of office is administered. Biden openly admits this - “I'm not allowed to take any more questions. I'm not supposed to talk about that. I'm going to Europe now – see you next week”
How to fix?
Let's crowd source (by ordinary citizens) a list of questions each candidate for the white house MUST answer (or refuse to answer) on important issues. Refusing to answer is allowed. It's like taking the 5th, though – an implication that an answer could incriminate themselves, or be proven as perjury.
As usual, since I invariably regard myself one of the smartest persons in the room, I'd like to get the ball rolling with some suggested “mandatory candidate questions” for 2024. Please add your own in replies to this thread. Of course, the professional media and politial extremists will hate this, because they assume we're sheep who should only do what we're told by “influencers” and “thought leaders”. The hell with that. Here we go.
- Are we taxed enough already, or not? Mr/Ms candidate – will you hold the line on federal taxes? If not, which ones do you propose to increase?
- Roe v 25 years of BS. Do you believe an executive order can force states to legalize abortions if they currently restrict them? Can congress do this – force all states to act uniformly in matters the constitution has delegated to the discretion of those states? Or is a constitutional amendment on this subject the most legaly defensible path forward.
- Bullet points. Same question on gun ownership. Is there a method of altering the 2nd amendment other than the constitional amendment process, or will you attempt to use the presidential bully pulpit on this matter?
- Government deficits. Is the current deficit of $30 trillion – that's $300,000 for each american family – too high? Do you propose to take it even higher?
- Narcotics legalization – are you in favor of this? What would the impacts be on our children and most at risk communities?
- Ich Ein Ukrainer (and Taiwaner)? What commitment, if any, do NATO and America owe democracies such as Ukraine and Taiwan, when threatened by oppressive neighbors.
- Are we learning yet? Is a process with a 30% defect rate (public school high school dropouts without diplomas) working satisfactorially? What can the federal government do to improve a function which is largely controlled by local politicians and teachers unions?
- Wage controls. Should there be a national minimum wage, the same in places as diverse as NYC and Mississippi? Or should states and municipalities be in charge of keeping track of their own prevailing wages and living costs?
- Securing the Borders. Should the present immigration laws be enforced again? If you disagree with these laws, will you ask congress to pass new ones, instead of simply ignoring them?
- State sponsored online crimes? What will you direct the federal government to do about our geopolitical opponents' ransomware, identity theft, online espionage, election interference, and grid disruption?
- Keeping the lights on. Do you plan on prohibiting, taxing or subsidizing any of the following: (a) oil drilling/pipelines; (b) coal; (c) nuclear; (d) hydroelectric; (e) solar (f) wind, (g) tidal; (h) geothermal?
- Basic economic questions: Are you for or against capitalism (free markets)? Do you think America should move toward a socialist system?
- Personal info: will you release an unredacted copy of your latest health exam, and last 5 years of income tax returns?
- Are you now, or have you ever been: (a) convicted of a financial crime; (b) convicted of a gun crime; (c) filed bankruptcy (d) currently behind on any federal or state tax obligations? (e) claimed to be of native american, african, or hispanic ancestry, but were not? (f) you or your immediate family received payments from a foreign government or corporation controlled by a foreign government?